Being an FBACT Insider
FBACT Members Impact What Happens in
ACT
Agriculture Today, Tomorrow and Beyond...
Agricultural Contact Team
Receive the most in-depth political news and information through FBACTInsider.org, a new website designed specifically for FBACT members. FBACT Insider provides engaged and influential Farm Bureau members with:
From the Field to Capitol Hill Be the Author for Agriculture’s Future through the Farm Bureau Agricultural Contact Team (FBACT)
• U p-to-date political news and information important to agriculture from Farm Bureau and national media. • B ackground information on Farm Bureau issues.
Not many organizations have the capability to organize grassroots contacts in every state in the nation. The FBACT network truly can be one of the most effective grassroots programs in the country — but only with you as a member! Acting with other Farm Bureau members.
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• A ccess to the FBACT Legislative Action Center.
Farmers helping farmers is a keystone of Farm Bureau and important to the success of the FBACT program.
• Farm Bureau media resources. FBACT Insider gives Farm Bureau’s grassroots members Influence, Information and Power at their fingertips!
Join the Farm Bureau Agricultural Contact Team (FBACT) and
One Farmer Stronger 600 Maryland Ave, Suite 1000W, S.W. Washington, DC 20024 www.fb.org ©2009 American Farm Bureau Federation
Support Farmers and Ranchers Just Like You!
The AFBF FBACT program furthers agricultural interests through a grassroots action network in partnership with Farm Bureau members around the country.
Become the author of agriculture’s story through Farm Bureau’s Grassroots Action Network: FBACT Timing is everything! A bill can often take a slow winding route to becoming a law. However, despite the length of time that it can take for legislation to become law, there are windows of opportunity for grassroots advocacy that can close rapidly. When the time is right, Farm Bureau members can shape the outcome with emails, phone calls and visits! • Join Your State FBACT Program. • Act on the Action Alerts! • Stay Informed with FBACT Insider — the FBACT member’s best news source. (www.fbactinsider.org)
Tear off this panel and keep as a reference.
Welcome to a place that is always just beginning. That rouses itself day to day, and year to year. To admire what it’s made, starting with nothing. Then rushes to invent itself all over again. Ordinary people, doing extraordinary things. Knowing what goes on now goes on to shape tomorrow. Welcome to a land that is never exactly what you think it is… And will never stay that way for very long. There are a million stories on the farms. And with FBACT, we are “One Farmer Stronger”.
Communication with Your Legislator
Place a Phone Call
As a constituent, your lawmakers know that you are the key to their understanding of issues important to you. They want and need to hear from you on issues important to you.
When you need to get in touch with your lawmaker immediately, and don’t have time to craft a message, that’s when it’s time to use the most common method of communicating with your lawmakers – make a telephone call! Your call will likely last less than a minute, and chances are you won’t speak directly to the lawmaker – but your call is important, carries weight and can achieve results.
Emails or Letters Personal messages — emails or letters — allow you to present your position and influence your lawmaker. Congress receives hundreds of millions of emails each year. Personal messages are more compelling and desired by congressional offices.
Be Brief, Specific and Courteous Keep your message to one issue and state its purpose in the first paragraph. If your message pertains to a specific bill, identify it. Always be courteous, even if you disagree with your lawmaker’s position.
Being influential means staying informed, being involved and remaining engaged.
4 I PLEDGED to be a part of the Farm Bureau Agricultural Contact Team (FBACT) and I will engage.
Be Brief, Clear and Specific Let the office know why you’re calling, giving a bill number if possible, the action you would like the lawmaker to take on the issue, and ask where your lawmaker stands on the issue.
With these resources, you have influence at your fingertips.
Meet Face to Face
• F BACT Insider: www.fbactinsider.org
By far, the most effective way to articulate your views to your elected officials and positively affect the outcome of legislation and of policy debates is to speak with lawmakers face to face.
• U .S. House www.house.gov
When meeting with the lawmaker or staffer, be sure to discuss how the legislation will directly affect you, your friends and your family. Personal stories make an impact and truly achieve results.
• U .S. Senate www.senate.gov
Always be polite, and follow up your visit with a personal letter thanking the lawmaker or staffer for his or her time. Also, be sure to offer your expertise or assistance on the issue in the future.
• U .S. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
One of the most convenient ways to visit your lawmakers is via their local offices, especially if you’re a long distance from Washington, DC, or your state capitol. All members of Congress have offices near you.
• A merican Farm Bureau Federation: www.fb.org
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The Author is in Total Control of the Story